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GERMAIN-ROBIN Absinthe Superiure. Former Germain-Robin apprentice Crispin Cain hand-distills apple-honey brandy using the antique Germain-Robin cognac still, infusing it with wormwood, rose geranium, lemon balm, fennel, hyssop, lemon verbena, star anise, and lemon peel. This transparent absinthe is subtle, complex, absolutely beautiful. Scarce.
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HANGAR ONE Fraser River Raspberry vodka. Five Stars from Spirit Journal. Hangar One distills this once a year, when the raspberries ripen. They use Meeker raspberries from Washington's Fraser River valley. A bit of fresh raspberry juice introduced after distillation makes it taste super fresh and gives the vodka a light raspberry color. It's beautiful product, with the natural sweetness - and tartness - of real fruit. The green glass bottle protects it from UV rays. Town & Country: "rich, rounded & smooth"; Dan Berger: "simply stunning." TWO BOTTLE LIMIT PLEASE.
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AQUA PERFECTA Raspberry liqueur. The Aqua Perfecta Raspberry Liqueur has a spectacular rich ripe raspberry flavor & aroma, underlaid by the elegant Aqua Perfecta raspberry brandy. Unreal. It's won a Gold Star from Santé, Best Buy from Wine Enthusiast, and Five Stars from Spirit Journal. We suggest it in champagne, over vanilla ice cream (fresh peaches go well), or over French toast and maple syrup.
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GERMAIN-ROBIN Anno Domini 2008. Incredible product: you can't believe that something with so much flavor could be so soft. 300 bottles released annually. We've heard knowledgeable persons say that they have never tasted anything better. Richard Carlton Hacker ranked the AD 2000 as one of his 5 "Cognacs of the Century," and the Spirit Journal named the AD 2001 the category's product of the year, ahead of a $5000 Courvoisier cognac. Almost entirely pinot noir, with a hint of old-vine palomino: the palomino's suavity comes in at mid-palate. Better than Remy's Louis XIII at 1/3 the price.
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HANGAR ONE Mandarin Blossom vodka. Who else but Lance & Jorg would dream of including the flowers? Paul Pacult reviewed this as "wonder and delight." It's like peeling a fresh tangerine - the zesty tangerine and flower aromas are brought across perfectly. Wonderful lingering aftertaste. Pour it over a single small ice cube - it's as rewarding as a good cognac.
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LOS DANZANTES Mezcal reposado. 100% from the Agave Espadin. Los Danzantes mezcal is made in old double-distillation pot stills. Distillates from the agave Espadin are full-flavored and sweet. The Danzantes roasting pit fired with mesquite adds a deep smoky richness. The French Troncais oak used for the reposado lends a lovely softness. The finish is graceful and long.
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Germain-Robin Fine brandy, Maison Surrenne Petite Champagne cognac, & Aqua Perfecta Pear eau-de-vie (brandy). For a great introduction to the tastes and characteristics of small-production spirits, buy one bottle each and save $21.00. Order from this page to receive the $115.00 price. GERMAIN-ROBIN FINE ALAMBIC BRANDY: Alambic brandy hand-distilled on an antique cognac still from premium Mendocino County wine grapes. "Terrific, all honey and vanilla in the nose, rich and unctuous on the palate" (LA Style Magazine). Smooth and delicious. Twice as good as any VSOP-level cognac. $48 (750ml / 40% abv) MAISON SURRENNE PETITE CHAMPAGNE COGNAC: The best VSOP at the San Francisco Spirits Competition, double-gold medal. It's received great press, and it's the best $48 bottle out there. From Surrenne's home Madame facility, single vintage 1993, bottled in 2006: thirteen years in barrel is just right for the lovely soft petite champagne fruit. $48 (750ml / 40% abv) AQUA PERFECTA PEAR EAU DE VIE: Thousands of European jaws gaped when Jorg Rupf's Pear eau de vie beat out every other fruit distiller in the famous Destillata "blind" judging in Austria. Jorg uses Bartletts from California's Lake and Mendocino counties and from Colorado's Western Slope. Fabulous, fabulous brandy - deep and buttery with hints of spice. $40 (375ml / 40% abv)
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GERMAIN-ROBIN Select Barrel XO. They bottle ten barrels/year (fewer than 400 cases). Based 80% on brandies distilled from pinot noir. Very complex, very elegant, very smooth. The pinot noir shows up in the incredible finish—subtle yet wonderfully rich fruit. In our blind tastings, you have to spend about double – Delamain Trés Vénérable, say, or Ferrand's Abel – to match it. In 1999, Robb Report picked this as the world's best distilled spirit, period.
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HANGAR ONE USS Mandarin Ladies' Long Sleeve Top. Craft Distillers designed a beautiful long-sleeve top for women with thick interlock cotton, a bateau neckline, and gorgeous shaping. USS Mandarin logo down the left sleeve, light Hangar One branding at the back neck. In cream or grey.
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